The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) held a coordination meeting regarding a Forest land Management Project (FMP) of the Upper Pampanga River Basin last May 22, 2014 at the NIA Central Office in Diliman, Quezon City. Also being tapped for the project is the National Power Corporation (NPC).
NIA Administrator Claro V. Maranan and other Department Managers met with DENR Forest Management Bureau Director Ricardo Calderon and other officials who gave a presentation on the project whose main objectives were the following: 1. Rehabilitate degraded forest in Pantabangan-Carranglan watershed; 2. Improve forest conservation to improve social and economic conditions of affected communities; 3. Contribute to disaster risk mitigation efforts in vulnerable areas and 4. Strengthen forest land management through Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM).
NIA-DENR Forest Management Project meeting held The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) held a coordination meeting regarding a Forest land Management Project (FMP) of the Upper Pampanga River Basin last May 22, 2014 at the NIA Central Office in Diliman, Quezon City. Photo shows NIA Administrator Claro Maranan (center) with DENR Forest Management Bureau Director Ricardo Calderon (right), NIA Technical Assistant-Administrator's Office Arnulfo Querijero (left), NIA Operations Department Manager Efren Roqueza (second from left) and other officials during the discussion of the said project.
Other components of the said projects involve comprehensive site development through Survey, Mapping and Planning; Community Organizing; Site Development; Policy Initiative and Project Management.
The FMP project also states that within the four watershed areas that cover a total area of 44,613 hectares, around 14,133 hectares will be used in the project. These are 1. Barat: Brgys. Salazar, Burgos, (So Awayan and So Barat); 2. Seguim: Brgys. Bunga, R.A. Padilla, Burgos (Sitio Animoy) San Agustin (Sitio Ovito); 3. Pinagloriahan: Brgys. Gen. Luna, San Agustin, Burgos (Sitio Sawmill and Caloocan) and 4. Diaman: Brgy. Conversion, Nueva Vizcaya (Brgy. Lukidnon, Dupax del Sur).
A draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between three agencies has been presented where the NIA will support the FMP implementation as well as allow rehabilitation and development of the 14,133 hectares under LOI 1002 and continuously implement the biodiversity conservation programs within the protected area.
The DENR will implement, monitor and supervise the FMP in collaboration with stakeholders following the RA 7586 or the NIPAS Act as well as ensure the biodiversity conservation within the FMP or protected area and issue a tenurial instrument needed in the project implementation.
The NPC shall cooperate with NIA, maintain and develop the designated 1,000 hectares for reforestation, agro-plantation establishments located between Pinagloriahan and Diaman Subwatersheds and assist People's Organization as part of their corporate social responsibility as well protect, maintain and manage the 14,133 hectares after termination of the FMP in collaboration with the tenurial instrument holders in the area.
The draft MOA is currently being reviewed by the NIA's Legal Department and will be passed to the NIA Board for further evaluation and approval.
